THE former chief executive of Cardiff council “harassed, bullied and isolated” an employee who blew the whistle on “inappropriate practices”, an employment tribunal heard yesterday.

THE former chief executive of Cardiff council “harassed, bullied and isolated” an employee who blew the whistle on “inappropriate practices”, an employment tribunal heard yesterday.

Helen Kingman told the tribunal at Caradog House she believed she ought to have been made a permanent member of staff after four years of service on a rolling fixed-term contract.

She claimed that following a series of disclosures about Byron Davies, who retired from Cardiff council in December 2009, she was discriminated against by other employees, including current head of tourism, venues and events, Kathryn Richards.

“I changed my views of Kathy Richards after it became apparent that she was not following correct procedures”, Ms Kingman told the tribunal.

“Ms Richards had not followed correct employment procedures and no-one could pay me. I was very unhappy with Ms Richards being my line manager but did not say anything as I feared reprisals.”

She told the tribunal that when the council then moved to address “irregularities” in her employment by providing her with a contract, she was given a job description which would effectively terminate her employment 16 months later – after the Commonwealth Local Government Conference in March.

However, Jonathan Walters, representing the council, told Ms Kingman in cross-examination that she was “being disingenuous” when she claimed that her role naturally extended beyond March 2011.

“You actually knew that you wouldn’t be staying beyond then,” he said.

“You expected, didn’t you, that when the conference finished you would be out of work at the council?

“I do not challenge that you were a whistle-blower with regard to Mr Davies’ behaviour towards you.

“However, if your complaint is about financial disparities then it is very much disputed.

“The focus of your grievance was Mr Davies – why then would you be penalised after he left?”

Ms Kingman replied that in complaining she had “also implicated Ms Richards” and other council employees who were in a position to continue to hold a grievance against her.